ABSTRACT
The temperature dependence of relative permittivity and conductivity of
Subject(s)
Animals , Electric Conductivity , Hyperthermia, Induced , Liver , Lung , Swine , TemperatureABSTRACT
Footbath have long been used for primary health care or for nursing, however, few researches have been reported. We intended to make footbath a safe physiotherapy or care technique in the modern medicine by more profound researches on footbath. The effect of footbath on the gastric motility was studied because footbath may promote recovery from post-surgical gastric paresis. The effects of footbath on the gastric motility and subjective hunger sensation were monitored in 14 healthy adult females (32±6 yeas old). They signed informed consents and took footbaths at 38, 40, 42°C and control footbath (by a footbath machine). The experiments started after permission of the Ethical Committee of International Research Center for Traditional Medicine.<br>They took footbath after 10-min rest in a sitting position. Each footbath was 30 min long, followed by 10-min rest. The same subject participated in the studies four times at the same time of the day before taking lunch (10:00-14:00). These experiments were in a random order four days apart each other except menstruation periods. Their blood pressure, ECG R-R variability and electro-gastrogram (EGG) were monitored. The subjective hunger sensation was asked before, during and after footbath. The autonomic nervous balance was estimated from FFT analysis of the R-R variability. LF (0.04-0.15Hz) and HF (0.15-0.40Hz) components of the R-R variability were calculated. EGG was also analysed by means of FFT to calculate amplitude and frequency. The results showed the amplitude and frequency of EGG increased depending on temperature. However, the correlation between HF power of R-R variability and amplitude of EGG showed negative correlation. Regarding hunger sensation, more cases felt hunger in 38, 40°C than in control. At 42°C, the amplitude and frequency were apparently higher than in other temperatures, while the hungry cases were less than in 38 or 40°C. These discrepancies may be caused by the artifact due to sweating on the abdominal EGG leads, considering high b wave of EEG at 42°C.<br>In conclusion, it was indicated that footbath may promote gastric motility and induce hunger sensation at 38-40°C in healthy volunteers.
ABSTRACT
Temperature dependent systematic circulatory changes by the pure thermal action were studied by means of footbath, which can neglect hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy. 14 healthy adult females (32±6 yeas old) took footbath at 38, 40, 42°C and control footbath after providing the written informed consent. The experiments started corthe permission of protocol of this experiment by the Ethical Committee of International Research Center for Traditional Medicine. They took footbath after 10 minutes' rest in a sitting position. Each footbath was 30 minutes long, followed by 10 minutes' rest. The same subject participated in the studies four times at the same time of the day before lunch. These experiments were in a random order four days apart each other except during menstruation periods. Their systemic circulatory changes and autonomic nervous balance calculated from FFT analysis of the R-R variability were monitored by the automatic sphygmomanometer, impedance cardiography and ECG, and their cerebral circulatory changes were monitored by the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and the Transcranial Doppler (TCD), and skin circulation was measured by the thermographic changes of the face and hand. Their subjective comfort was assessed by the face scale every 5 minutes. The results showed that their cardiac output and blood pressure increased, and tissue blood flow of the M. Trapezius and the skin temperature of both hand and face increased in temperature dependent manner. Simultaneously LF/HF or HF power changed depending on the temperature. Regarding cerebral circulation, total blood volume of the surface of the frontal lobe was suspected to be increased, however, elevation of PI values indicated an increase of the intracranial pressure. The same systemic and autonomic nervous changes of footbath were reported in full body bath. Considering the subjective comfort, the appropriate duration of footbath for healthy persons may be 20-25min at 38°C, 15min at 40°C, 10min at 42°C. Circulatory activation by footbath may support the clinical utility of footbath for the safe care of aged people who may be drawn in bath tub. High PI value at 42°C footbath which means high intracranial pressure may cause the accidents during lethal hot bathing.